How to Download and Run &quot;Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant&quot; and &quot;Windows 8.1 Upgrade Assistant&quot;

Synopsis

This will show you how to run the Upgrade Assistant to see if your current PC is compatible for Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 to buy, download an ISO file, and/or install.

How to Download and Run "Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant" and "Windows 8.1 Upgrade Assistant"​

Information

This tutorial will show you how to run the "Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant" or "Windows 8.1 Upgrade Assistant" to see if your current PC is ready for Windows 8 or 8.1 with a compatibility report, and to be able to buy, download an ISO file, and/or install an upgrade Windows 8 or full Windows 8.1.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to run the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant.

The Windows 8/8.1 Upgrade Assistant will not invalidate the product key of the Windows you are upgrading from. Please review the Microsoft Software License Agreement (EULA) for Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 for your usage rights.

Upgrade Assistant is a free download that scans your PC, desktop apps, and connected devices to see if they'll work with a later version of Windows, and then provides a free compatibility report. Depending on the version of Windows you're running, you can also use Upgrade Assistant to buy, download, and install Windows online.

If you're running Windows 7, you can use the Windows 8.1 Upgrade Assistant to get a compatibility report, and then you'll see optional steps to buy, download, and install Windows 8.1.

Make sure all devices like printers and monitors are connected to your PC and turned on before you run Upgrade Assistant.

If you're running XP or Vista, you can use the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant to check if your PC meets the system requirements for Windows 8, which are nearly the same as the requirements for Windows 8.1. In certain countries and regions, you'll see optional steps to buy, download, and install Windows 8.

Here's How:

Note

Unless you are just checking to see what is compatible in your current Windows 8 for Windows 8.1, you could use the tutorial below instead since you will just be redirected to the Windows Store to upgrade to Windows 8.1 for free anyways.

If you purchase the DVD or download the ISO on a system running 32-bit Windows, then your DVD or ISO will also be 32-bit. This will only install 32-bit Windows.

If you purchase the DVD or download the ISO on a system running 64-bit Windows, then your DVD or ISO will also be 64-bit. This will only install 64-bit Windows.

2. Run the downloaded .....UpgradeAssistant.exe file.

3. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Continue (Vista) or Yes (Windows 7/8).

4. After a moment, the upgrade assisitant will check to see what is compatible in your current Windows for Windows 8/8.1. (see screenshot below)

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5. When finished, you will be provided with what was found. Click/tap on the See compatibility details link for more information. (see screenshot below)

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6. If you like you can Print and/or Save your compatibility details. When finished reviewing, you can click/tap on Close. (see screenshot below)

Note

If you want to reset the compatibility details to start fresh, then close the Windows 8/8.1 Upgrade Assistant, delete the hidden folder below, and start over at step 2 above. This can be helpful if you fixed some issues found in the compatibility details, and wanted to scan your system with a fresh start again.

%UserProfile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WebSetup

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7. Click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below step 5)

Note

If you did not want to order or install Windows 8 and just wanted to check your computer compatibility with Windows 8, then you can close "Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant" now.

8. If you currently have XP (SP3), Vista, or Windows 7, then go to step 10.

9. If you currently have Windows 8, then click/tap on the Go to the Store link, and go to step 4 in the tutorial link below to update to Windows 8.1 Update. You are finished in this tutorial.

10. Select (dot) what you would like to keep from your currently installed Windows to which editions of Windows 8 will work best for you, then click/tap on Next. (see screenshots below)

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Note

If you got this generic Windows 8 isn't available for download message below instead, then it means that you didn't run the "Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant" from within XP (SP3), Vista, or Windows 7; or you are not allowed to purchase online from your country.

Note

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11. If you would like to purchase Windows 8/8.1 now, then you can click/tap on the Order button for the edition of Windows 8 /8.1 (ex: Windows 8 Pro) you want. (see screenshots below)NOTE:If you do not wish to buy Windows 8/8.1 at this time, then you could just click/tap on Close to stop.

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12. Review your order to make sure it's correct. If you like, you can also check the Windows DVD box to get a copy of your ordered Windows 8/8.1 on DVD in the mail for $14.99. When ready, click/tap on Checkout. (see screenshot below)

14. Select a payment method (credit card or PayPal) that you want to use, fill out the payment info, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshots below)

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15. If you have a promo code, then you can enter it here and click/tap on Apply. Confirm that your order is correct, check the I agree to the terms and conditions box, and click/tap on Buy when ready. (see screenshot below)

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16. This is the product key number (license) for your purchased Windows 8 upgrade or full Windows 8. I would recommend that you click/tap on the View Receipt link to Print or Save a copy of your "order summary" that includes your product key number for safe keeping. When finished, click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)NOTE: Remember that the product key number is what you are purchasing. Without it, you will not be able to activate or install your purchased Windows 8. Be sure to keep it in a safe place as a backup.

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Note

If you have already downloaded an ISO file with the upgrade assistant for this same edition of Windows 8 you purchased now, and are just purchasing (up to 5) another product key number for it, then you can close the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant now to avoid having to go through the download process (step 17 below) again.

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You can use the same ISO to install and activate with each product key number.​

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Tip

At this point, a receipt was emailed to you. This email will contain your order number, product key number, a link to download Windows 8 again, and a link to order a DVD.

Tip

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17. Windows 8/8.1 will now begin to download. (see screenshots below)

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18. When it's finished downloading, it will check and verify the download, then start to getting files ready. (see screenshots below)

When you run the Upgrade Assistant, it creates a Websetup folder below in your user account and computer that contains the files needed to create a Windows 8/8.1 ISO without having to download them again. The Upgrade Assistant also places an Install Windows shortcut on your desktop. If you run the Install Windows shortcut, it will start the Upgrade Assistant at step 19 above where you can choose what you would like to do again.

If you did step 20 above, then obviously these files will no longer be available on your computer afterwards.

Member

I would also like to add my thanks to Shawn for his excellent tutorial!!!

I do however have an issue which is not covered above. I have a Windows 7 Pro 64 Bit system which is to be upgraded to Windows 8 Pro 64 Bit. The Update has been purchased and product key generated, the ISO file burned to DVD and the upgrade commenced.

Upon reaching Step 8 above the ONLY option available is 'Keep Nothing'. At this point I should add that the Windows 7 setup was clean installed in Audit mode (following Kari's excellent tutorial) with the C:\Users folder relocated to D:\Users with the various user documents folders (Pictures, Music etc.) relocated to custom locations from the 'location' tab in each folder's properties.

As the customised Windows 7 Setup meets with my needs perfectly and is 100% stable I would like to avoid a clean install with all the re-customisation that will be entailed, a point widely promoted by Microsoft.

I was therefore taken aback to see that the other 2 options shown in step 8 were not even presented and speculate that this is entirely due to the previous non-standard Audit Mode install.....

Can anyone suggest a solution OR a valid workaround which will preserve the customised folder locations, apps, settings and personal files during the upgrade to Windows 8 Pro??

Member

Then after W8 Upgrade Assistant got done showing me "Here's what we found" I click on next. I get a blue box with " Windows 8 isn't available for download. Sorry Windows 7 isn't available for online purchase in the country/region you're in. I live in Northern Michigan, USA. Any ideas?

Member

How can you RESET or START FRESH the COMPATIBILITY LIST that the Upgrade Assistant prepares?

I ran it once and it gave me bunch of issues e.g. Older version of program - Update available.
I resolved it by doing one of the following things and it still showing the old program:
- Uninstalling/ Removing the program
- Upgrading to latest version

Its as if its caching the 'stuff' somewhere and I need it to ANALYZE FRESH.